Google maps street view is your friend.

You can actually go to Santa Monica virtually via computer. You can "drive" down the streets on a virtual tour! I've done that with clients who wanted to see the cities where they were born, or see the house where they grew up, and I've toured the town where I was born, also!

I have been to Santa Monica twice from Australia

Dont have photo but have been on the pier a few times. Back when the water was cleaner